Three long years come to an end.
This farewell is quite distinct from that of three years ago.
I feel tempted to make profound claims like "these three years were the most wonderful years of my life" or "studying philosophy changed my life" (which it did), but these statements are mere shadows of the myriad emotions and experiences that comprise these years.
First few weeks of college were intensely emotional. In a good way. My excitement and optimism at the start of college was successfully fulfilled as I easily fell into place with a new group of friends. Old emotions resurfaced, matured and wrapped in new circumstances, with different actors. New concerns, new decisions, new desires.
People say college is about 'freedom' and 'rebellion'.
I found myself envelopede by new responsibilities and the desire to conform, to fit in, to belong. But in all this- there was a space for individuality, for difference, and conflict.
Most of all, the first year was about finding a footing.
Gradually, followed the anger, the frustration, the idealism. Philosophy only added fuel to the fire. Disgust at the apathy and lethargy around, including at me. Anger at the apparent futility of what I was studying - philosophy. Ideas, talk and very little action, or so I thought.
It was in this frame of mind that entered the incredibly charged environment of 'Little Lhasa', Mcleodganj, Dharamshala. It is intensely difficult to grasp and explain my motivation and inspiration from the Tibetan people, without grossly exotic-izing, romanticizing and patronizing.
Very simply, I guess at some point in everyone's life, one needs a push. An extremely disturbing and painful (at least in my case) reality check. It hits you, and there is literally no looking back. You're energetic and alive. Confident and assertive. A little more peaceful perhaps, because you think you've found an exit for your anger.
This is what I experienced in that one month. Intensely personal, and at the same time
This experience, consequently, transformed my interactions in college. There was a tangible difference in me, claim my friends. For the better, most feel!
Nonetheless, it was a struggle: juggling the manifestation of this experience in my work with SFT Delhi, and my life in college. Would I be able to successfully integrate the two?
This is what I experienced in that one month. Intensely personal, and at the same time
This experience, consequently, transformed my interactions in college. There was a tangible difference in me, claim my friends. For the better, most feel!
Nonetheless, it was a struggle: juggling the manifestation of this experience in my work with SFT Delhi, and my life in college. Would I be able to successfully integrate the two?
That was the essential challenge in the last one year.
I am still not sure I have been successful.
However, at the end of it all, there is a feeling of happiness, and contentment.
Obviously, there is sentimentality and melancholic reminiscence of days gone by, but under that, there is a sense of strength (from the friendships I suspect) and satisfaction.
I am still not sure I have been successful.
However, at the end of it all, there is a feeling of happiness, and contentment.
Obviously, there is sentimentality and melancholic reminiscence of days gone by, but under that, there is a sense of strength (from the friendships I suspect) and satisfaction.
